Sunday, November 04, 2007

Dear Health Minister Clement: Re Autism Gold Standard Intervention

October 31, 2007

Honourable Tony Clement
Minister of Health (Canada)

Dear Honourable Minister

Recently your government filed its response to the Senate's "Pay Now Or Pay Later" report on autism services and funding in Canada. As the parent of a profoundly autistic 11 1/2 year old boy I have been active in autism advocacy in my province for the past 9 years. I was disappointed, extremely disappointed, with your government's weak response to an issue which now is estimated to directly affect 1 in 150 Canadians and their families.

In particular I found objectionable your government's stated position that there is no consensus on a gold standard of treatment for autism. That position is simply inconsistent with the professional literature as I understand it, admittedly from the perspective of a mere parent. State and federal agencies in the United States over the past decade from Maine to New York to California have routinely described ABA, Applied Behavior Analysis, as an evidence based effective intervention for autistic children; the only intervention to be accorded that level of recognition of its efficacy.

This week the American Academy of Pediatrics released two autism reports one dealing with, and setting out recommendations concerning the need for very early diagnosis of autism disorders in children. The other report included a review of the professional literature on autism interventions. In Management of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders the AAP stated with respect to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) :

The effectiveness of ABA-based intervention in ASDs has been well documented through 5 decades of research by using single-subject methodology21,25,27,28 and in controlled studies of comprehensive early intensive behavioral intervention programs in university and community settings.29–40 Children who receive early intensive behavioral treatment have been shown to make substantial, sustained gains in IQ, language, academic performance, and adaptive behavior as well as some measures of social behavior, and their outcomes have been significantly better than those of children in control groups.31–4

With all respect Honourable Minister, the position that there is no Gold Standard treatment or intervention for autism, is not in the language of the legal profession of which I am a member, "credible". I ask you to reconsider this stand by your government. I also ask you to look past the strict interpretation of Canadian constitutional jurisdiction over health matters on which your government and Mr. Duceppe's Bloc Quebecois relies in opposing federally funded ABA treatment for autism. Cooperative federalism has worked well in many instances in this country and to my knowledge is not inconsistent with the ultimate separatist aims of Mr. Duceppe's party. Before his party achieves full sovereignty autistic children will be growing older and needing ABA services in Quebec where autistic children despite claims of "we do it differently" are also badly in need of funded ABA services.

I ask you to put aside petty politics and help autistic children wherever they reside in Canada. Put the ideology and rhetoric in a drawer for safe keeping and help autistic children with some of the multi billion dollar federal surplus. Help autistic children now. Tomorrow is too late.

Harold L Doherty
Fredericton NB

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

This issue is too important Harold. I have posted info on your letter at my blog and Jack's Newswatch. And, I have given out the Minister's fax number and e-mail for other people to respond as well.

http://crux-of-the-matter.com/?p=436

Unknown said...

That's great Sandy.

Hopefully people will take it up with the Minister.

Anonymous said...

Here Here!!
Well said! We need a national strategy to help these children. Some provinces are really supporting these children and some are lying about it. Why is it that autistic children are treated like they are worth less than NT children? It's as if it doesn't matter if my son is educated or not and it doesn't matter if he goes to the doctor. No one will help us, no one cares. Why is it that parents have to forge their way through all the garbage on the internet to try to get help for their children? There are snake oil salesmen charging $200/hr to see our children because they know CANADA DOES NOT CARE ABOUT CHILDREN WITH AUTISM. Why do parents that are already emotionally fragile have to pay out of their pockets to get treatment for their children? If my son had CP I could just take him to the doctor...what gives????? Here's a thought, take a few million out of the billions of dollars in aid to help corrupt governments in countries that are likely using those funds for weapons to use on us and our troops while their children starve and use some of those funds for Canadian Citizens who due to vaccinations, pollutants and other environmental hazards like lead and mercury are now dealing with a developmental disorder. I don't think politicians will care until one of them has a child or grandchild with autism and then they'll get passionate.

No gold standard?

My son needs :
ABA therapy
Psycho pharmacology for medication
Special dental care
Occupational Therapy
dietitian assistance for GCCF diet/supplements
Neurological testing
blood tested for metals
ENT specialist for huge tonsils and adenoids affecting mouth muscles/teeth position/sleep/speech/behaviour due to apnea
genetic testing - chromosomal defect?
play therapy with NT models
TO GO TO SCHOOL WITH NT CHILDREN

Making excuses will not make these children go away. The diagnosis rate has gone from 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 150 and it is getting worse. Please put petty politics aside and help them. I CAN'T EVEN GET THE HOSPITAL FOR SICK KIDS TO HELP MY SON. IF IT WERE UP TO THEM HE WOULD NOT EVEN HAVE ABA THERAPY!